Lainey Wilson cements her legacy at the ACM Awards. Credit to Gilbert Flores / Penske Media.
Los Angeles, California (May 10, 2025)- Lainey Wilson’s ascent to country music superstardom continues at full throttle. At the 60th Annual ACM Awards, the Louisiana native added four more trophies to her growing collection, including the coveted Entertainer of the Year title — her second in a row. She also took home Album of the Year for Whirlwind, Female Artist of the Year for a third consecutive time, and Artist-Songwriter of the Year, bringing her total ACM Awards count to 16.
Wilson’s presence was felt far beyond the winner’s circle. During the live broadcast, she delivered a stirring solo performance of her title track “Whirlwind,” followed by a powerhouse collaboration of “Trailblazer” alongside country legends Reba McEntire and Miranda Lambert. Co-written with Lambert and Brandy Clark, the anthem was released immediately after the show, marking another milestone in Wilson’s ever-expanding discography.
The awards are just the latest in a string of triumphs that define what has become a landmark year for Wilson. Her latest single, “4x4xU,” recently climbed to No. 1 on country radio, making it her eighth chart-topper. She is currently in the midst of her Whirlwind World Tour — a nearly sold-out trek that has seen explosive demand across both domestic and international markets. After a sold-out run across the U.K. and Europe earlier this year, Wilson is now bringing her high-energy show to North American arenas including iconic stops at Madison Square Garden in New York, the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, and Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
Whirlwind, her critically acclaimed new album released via BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville and produced by Grammy-winner Jay Joyce, debuted at No. 8 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart — Wilson’s first entry into the top 10. Critics have heralded the album as a defining moment in her career. The Tennessean called it “the best release of her career,” while Rolling Stone praised her for blending “brawn, heart, and willingness to upend the status quo.” NPR Music declared her a “major headlining country star,” and Newsweek referred to her as a “next-generation icon.”
Wilson’s musical momentum shows no sign of slowing. She was recently inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, performed during the Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Day Halftime Show, and earned Best Country Album at the 2024 Grammy Awards. She also claimed three ACM Awards in 2023, two CMA Awards later that year — including her debut as co-host with Peyton Manning and Luke Bryan — and picked up two more ACM Honors: the prestigious Triple Crown Award and the Milestone Award, reserved for artists whose impact is deemed exceptional within the genre.
In addition to her accolades as a performer, Wilson’s reputation as a gifted songwriter is flourishing. She’s penned and performed several No. 1 hits, including “Watermelon Moonshine” and the double-Platinum “Heart Like A Truck.” Her collaborations read like a who’s who of modern music: Post Malone (“Nosedive”), Cole Swindell (“Never Say Never”), Jelly Roll (“Save Me”), HARDY (“wait in the truck”), and Myles Smith (“Nice To Meet You”). Her versatility extends beyond music as well, with acting credits on Yellowstone and a forthcoming film debut in the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s Reminders of Him. She also contributed “Out of Oklahoma” to the soundtrack of the new Twisters movie.
From sold-out stadiums to critical acclaim and career-defining honors, Lainey Wilson is not just having a moment — she’s leading a movement. With a voice as powerful as her pen and a heart anchored in her roots, Wilson continues to blaze a trail all her own, one stage, one song, and one whirlwind year at a time.
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